ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2011 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2011. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ 21st Century Skills
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--College Entrance Exams
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Innovation Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers--Privately Funded
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Aid to Private Schools
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Performance Funding
+ Finance--Private Giving
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--Mandates
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation--Alternative
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--African American
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services
- Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
TXSigned into law 07/2011P-12Permits a student to enroll in a course provided through the state virtual school network if the student is either under 21 or under 26 and entitled to the benefits of the Foundation School Program under Section 42.003. Directs each district or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy providing students with the opportunity to enroll in courses provided through the state virtual school network; requires such policy to be consistent with statutory requirements. Requires a determination of whether an electronic course will meet the needs of a student with a disability to be made by the student's admission, review, and dismissal committee in accordance with state and federal law. Requires the administering authority of the state virtual school network to provide students who have completed or withdrawn from a course (and students' parents) a mechanism to provide comments regarding the course. Requires the administering authority to provide public access to student and parent comments, and for comments to be able to be sorted by teacher, electronic course, and provider district or school. Provides that if the essential knowledge and skills with which a state virtual school network course is aligned are modified, the provider district or school must have the same time period to align the course as is provided for the modification of a course provided in a traditional classroom setting. Existing law requires the administering authority to establish a schedule for an annual submission and approval process for electronic courses, and evaluate electronic courses to be offered through the state virtual school network. New provision (1) requires the administering authority to publish such schedule, including any deadlines, and any guidelines applicable to the submission and approval process, and (2) requires the evaluation to include review of each electronic course component, including off-line material proposed to be used in the course. Directs the state education agency to establish and publish a fee schedule for the cost of evaluating and approving electronic courses submitted by a district, open-enrollment charter school, or public or private institution of higher education, if the agency determines a shortage of funds for that purpose.

Provides a district or open-enrollment charter school is entitled to funding for a student's enrollment in a course offered through the state virtual school network in the same manner the district or charter school is entitled to funding for the student's enrollment in courses provided in a traditional classroom setting, provided the student successfully completes the electronic course. Directs the commissioner to adopt a standard agreement to govern payments relating to a student's enrollment in an electronic course offered through the state virtual school network. Provides exceptions to when a district or open-enrollment charter school must use the standard agreement. Repeals Section 42.159, Education Code. Pages 178-184 of 263: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00001F.pdf#navpanes=0
Title: S.B. 1
Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

FLSigned into law 06/2011P-12Authorizes school districts to provide a digital curriculum for students in grades 6 through 12 (Sec. 17). Requires a district's strategic plan to include plans to implement a middle school career and professional academy (Sec. 20). Eliminates the requirement that a student choose the 18 credit accelerated graduation option no later than ninth grade (Sec. 19). Authorizes school districts to select premethods and postmethods for determining student learning gains for supplemental educational service providers (Sec. 28).
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h1255er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=1255&Session=2011
Title: H.B. 1255 - Sec. 17, 19, 20, 28
Source: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

FLSigned into law 06/2011P-12Creates Digital Learning Now Act. Requires school districts to establish virtual instruction options. Authorizes establishment of virtual charter schools. Authorizes blended learning courses. Authorizes Florida Virtual School (FLVS) to provide full-time instruction to students in kindergarten through grade 12 and provides additional requirements for FLVS. Provides funding and accountability requirements. Requires high school students entering grade 9 in the 2011-12 school year to complete at least one online course within the 24 credit requirement for high school graduation. Redefines FTE student for purposes of virtual instruction. Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to issue a report identifying and explaining the best methods and strategies for increasing student access to digital learning. Requires the DOE to develop an evaluation method for providers of part-time virtual programs. Provides that all statewide end-of-course assessments be administered online by the 2014-15 school year. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h7197er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=7197&Session=2011
Title: H.B. 7197
Source: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov

OHSigned into law 06/2011P-12Removes provision that the state board adopt state standards every five years after June 30, 2010; replaces with provision that state board adopt standards periodically. Repeals requirements that the standards specify "the development of skill sets as they relate to creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration" and "the development of skill sets that promote personal management, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility". Replaces requirement for development of standards and model curricula in "computer literacy" with "technology". Page 3 of 1000: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_HB_153_EN_part2.pdf
Title: H.B. 153 - State Standards
Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us

OKSigned into law 05/2011P-12The measure requires that state aid to districts for students in online courses be based upon the average daily membership of those students in the first nine weeks of the current school year.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENR/SB/SB141%20ENR.DOC
Title: S.B. 141
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

OKSigned into law 05/2011P-12Instructs the state board to adopt rules to provide for implementation of supplemental online courses and makes the measure apply only to students taking supplemental courses rather than full-time online courses. Removes the need for an Individualized Learning Plan for each student taking online courses and instructs the state board to develop rules for student participation in extracurricular activities in accordance with school district eligibility rules and polices and any rules of a private organization or association that provides coordination, supervision and regulation of interscholastic activities and contests of schools. Removes the need for the rules to address student participation in assessments administered pursuant to state law and the need for ongoing weekly telephonic communication between teacher and student and monthly communication between teacher and parents.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENR/SB/SB280%20ENR.DOC
Title: S.B. 280
Source: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us

VTSigned into law 05/2011P-12This section requires the Department to report to the legislature on current and planned use of technology and Internet services in public schools, including 1) each school's type of Internet service (speed of connection, service provider, projected upgrades); 2) efforts to increase the availability of individual learning opportunities, dual enrollment, online and other alternative learning programs; 3) expansion of flexible learning environments, including efforts to develop and increase opportunities with out-of-state providers; 4) results of the department's research concerned the possible developoment of a statewide open document format that could be standadized across the K-12 structure, including consideration of tools available, security risk inherent in each, and the viability of state agencies to join efforts to help standardize systems and reduce costs on proprietary software and solutions; 5) implementation of the department's communication and collaboration tool during the summer of 2011; 6) review by the department and the state board of the school quality standards and consideration of amendments focusing on the continued evolution of teaching and learning supported by technology.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/Acts/ACT058.pdf
Title: S.B. 100 - Technology Provisions
Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us

WASigned into law 05/2011P-12Requires school districts to provide students with the opportunity to integrate technology literacy and fluency in core courses. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202011/5392-S.SL.pdf
Title: S.B. 5392
Source: apps.leg.wa.gov

UTSigned into law 03/2011P-12Identifies allowable expenditures of K-3 Reading Improvement Program funds, including, among other uses, focused reading remediations through before- and after-school programs and summer programs, or reading software. Directs the state board to annually report to the education interim committee a summary of reading improvement program expenditures by districts and charter schools. http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/sbillenr/sb0063.pdf
Title: S.B. 63
Source: le.utah.gov

+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Health and Mental Health
+ P-3 Kindergarten
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Special Ed./Inclusion
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Student Learning
+ Postsecondary Affordability
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Textbooks
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Intellectual Property
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Finance--Efficiency/Performance-Based Funding
+ Postsecondary Finance--Facilities
+ Postsecondary Finance--Revenue and Expenditures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--State Executives/State Agencies
+ Postsecondary Institutions
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Four-Year Baccalaureate
+ Postsecondary Institutions--HBCUs/Minority-Serving Institutions
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Enrollments (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Students
+ Postsecondary Students--Adults
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Students--International
+ Postsecondary Students--Low-Income
+ Postsecondary Students--Military
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Postsecondary Success
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics)
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Retention/Persistence
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promising Practices
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Reading/Literacy--Adult Literacy
+ Religion
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Climate/Culture
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--School Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Staffing Ratios
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Foster Care
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Special Populations--Immigrant Education
+ Special Populations--Migrant Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Common Core State Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Supports
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Student Surveys
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--Incentives
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Assignment
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--High-Needs Subjects
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Attitudes
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban--Change/Improvements